Month: September 2025

OLLU Men’s Tennis Stands Tall Against Tough Regional Competition

The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men’s tennis team made their presence felt this weekend at the Trinity University Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, with a mix of impressive wins and valiant performances against tough regional opponents including Saint Mary’s, Lubbock Christian, and the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW).

One of the biggest highlights of the weekend came from the dynamic doubles duo of Jacob Gailey and Bastien Prod’Homme, who delivered a commanding 8-2 victory over Saint Mary’s. Their chemistry on court and aggressive play style were unmatched and set the tone for the Saints across the tournament.

In singles, Louis Bocquet delivered a powerful win over Fabian Rosales of Saint Mary’s, showcasing his consistency and high tennis IQ. Bocquet also battled teammate Corentin Fusaro in a thrilling internal match that highlighted the depth and competitiveness of OLLU’s roster. Fusaro ultimately came out on top, earning well-deserved recognition.

Joao Victor Castro gave a determined effort in his singles match, but fell to Saint Mary’s Bernhard Hauer, while Pietro Guimaraes showed promise with a strong victory over Zachary Hazel of Lubbock Christian before running into Hauer as well, who managed to edge him out in straight sets. Nonetheless, Guimaraes ability to bounce back and compete hard against top-tier talent bodes well for the rest of the season.

Jacob Gailey continued to make waves with a solid singles victory over Evan Walther from Saint Mary’s, using a mix of controlled aggression and smart shot selection. Though he later fell to Alexandre Sulpicy in a close 7-6, 6-2 battle, Gailey’s performance throughout the invitational was one of OLLU’s strongest.

Caleb Olen added to the Saints tally with a straight-sets win against Mario Richmagui of UIW, 6-2, 6-4, putting on a clinic of precise shot-making and patience. Paulo Ceolin also brought the heat, dispatching Evin Walsh of Saint Mary’s with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory that left no doubt about his place as one of the team’s top contributors.

Luis Jimenez Arzate faced a tough opening match against UIW’s Samuel Candelas, falling 6-4, 6-4 in a tightly contested bout. However, he bounced back in style with a hard-earned win against Blake Rogers of Lubbock Christian, showing mental toughness and resilience that defines the OLLU spirit.

Bastien Prod’Homme, despite a close first-set tiebreaker, dropped his singles match against Saint Mary’s Lucas Castillo-Sanchez 7-6, 6-3. Still, his leadership and exceptional doubles play alongside Gailey contributed significantly to the Saints overall success.

The Trinity University Invitational was a valuable test for OLLU, and the team delivered a number of standout performances against quality opposition. With this kind of talent and competitive fire, the Saints are clearly poised for an exciting and successful season ahead.

OLLU Responds to Enrollment Challenges by Reimagining Programs for Community and Economic Impact

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is at a pivotal moment. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, the university is confronting a significant enrollment decline — a challenge that reflects broader national trends in higher education, but also underscores the urgent need for institutions to evolve in response to local realities.

In the face of these challenges, OLLU is taking bold steps to realign its academic programs with the needs of San Antonio’s economy and its diverse communities. This means more than just revising curricula — it’s about rethinking how education can serve as a bridge between opportunity and equity.

San Antonio’s workforce is rapidly changing, with growing demand in fields like healthcare, technology, education, and social services. OLLU is uniquely positioned to respond, given its deep roots in the community and its historic commitment to serving underrepresented populations. By strengthening partnerships with local employers, expanding career-focused degree pathways, and investing in programs that reflect the lived experiences of its students, the university is working to ensure that graduates are not only employable — but empowered.

This transformation also involves listening closely to the community. From the West Side to the broader South Texas region, families are seeking educational institutions that understand their challenges and aspirations. OLLU’s renewed focus on accessibility, relevance, and impact is a direct response to that call.

While the enrollment crisis is real, it also presents an opportunity: to innovate, to lead, and to reaffirm the university’s mission in a way that is both future-focused and community-centered.

📖 Read the full story: San Antonio Express-News – OLLU Enrollment Crisis

Listening to the Community: Robert Santos’ Journey Highlights the Need for Programs That Reflect Local Voices and Economic Realities

Robert Santos, the first Latino Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, recently shared his powerful story with the San Antonio Report — a story rooted in the West Side of San Antonio and shaped by a lifelong commitment to equity, data integrity, and community representation.

Santos’ reflections come at a time when mistrust in institutions is growing, particularly among Latino communities. His message is clear: to rebuild trust, we must first understand the lived experiences of the people we serve. This means designing programs that are not only data-informed but also community-driven.

For institutions like Our Lady of the Lake University and others serving diverse populations, Santos’ journey is a call to action. Aligning academic programs with the needs of the local economy is essential — but so is ensuring those programs reflect the cultural, social, and economic realities of the communities they aim to uplift.

Whether it’s through expanding bilingual education, investing in social work and public health, or creating pathways to careers in data science and civic engagement, the future depends on our ability to listen, adapt, and lead with purpose.

📖 Read more about Santos’ journey and insights: San Antonio Report – Robert Santos

REMINDER: OLLU Offering Flu Immunization Clinics for Employees

Our Lady of the Lake University will host two onsite flu immunization clinics this October, available to employees enrolled in the OLLU Group Medical Plan. The flu vaccine is free for plan participants and will be administered by Next Level.

  • Wednesday, October 8 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 22 | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
OLLU_Prime_Flu_ClinicsDownload

Careers in Environmental Science Seminar Features Environmental Counsel Tyler Ryska

Interested in learning more about a career in environmental law?

This Friday, Dr. Briana Salas’s “Careers in Environmental Science” Seminar course will be visited by Tyler Rsyka, Counsel at Austin law firm Rigby Slack. Tyler is a skilled litigator who focuses his practice on commercial and environmental litigation. He also founded the environmental nonprofit Clean Initiative Project.

Guest speaker will be Friday, September 26, 1:45 to 3:00pm, in Main 204.

You can also join virtually through the QR code on the flyer!

Seminar_Guest_Speakers_Flyers___Tyler_RyskaDownload

Walk with a Therapist Returns!

Counseling & Wellness Services is relaunching Walk with a Therapist-Mindful Movement, starting Monday, September 26!

Please join us outside Walter Student Service Building (Metz side) at 12:45pm for a 30 minute walk, focusing on mindfulness practice while we move our bodies.

This walk is open to students, faculty, and staff. We look forward to seeing you there!

Week 2: SAINTS Fitness Challenge – MOVE MORE!

The 6-week SAINTS Fitness Challenge is in full swing, and this week’s theme is MOVE MORE!

We’re shaking things up—this week is all about finding creative ways to stay active, beyond just the gym. Dance, walk, stretch, try a pop-up class—any movement counts! All are welcome to our pop-up events!!

Pop-Up Fitness Classes This Week:

  • Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. | Walk and Talk
  • Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. | Cardio Groove
  • Friday, 5:15 p.m. | Movement & Art

Teams are in action, and the most active teams will win gift cards at Presidents Walk during the final week of October.

This challenge celebrates Exercise is Medicine Month and is sponsored by a micro-grant our EIM-OC team was awarded through ACSM. We see you, we cheer for you, and we’re celebrating every step, stretch, and move you make! Let’s keep moving, Saints—YOU GOT THIS! 💪 #FITTOWIN

Moran and Curiel Sweep RRAC Runner of the Week Awards For Second Consecutive Week

Isai Moran of Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) raced to the RRAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week award for Sept. 8-14, while OLLU’s Mia Curiel was recognized again as the RRAC Women’s Runner of the Week for the same dates.

Moran set a new OLLU record in the 8K distance at the Texas A&M University Invitational in College Station, Texas. The sophomore from El Paso, Texas, finished 31st with a time of 24:53 in a field of 142 runners, which were primarily from NCAA Division I schools.

Curiel earned her second consecutive weekly award with a personal best time of 18:45 in the 5K at the Texas A&M meet. The senior from McAllen, Texas, placed 45th in a field of 142, which included seven NCAA Division I programs.

Additional RRAC cross country weekly nominees: Tyler Johns (North American), Samantha Medina (North American).

2025 RRAC cross country weekly selections:

DateMen’s Runner of the WeekWomen’s Runner of the Week
Aug. 25-31Christopher Espino (USW)Elianna Saenz (USW)
Sept. 1-7Damon Gutierrez (OLLU)Mia Curiel (OLLU)
Sept. 8-14Isai Moran (OLLU)Mia Curiel (OLLU)

OLLU’s Diversi, TAMUV’s Reyes selected as RRAC women’s soccer players of the week

Eleonora Diversi of Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) was recognized as the RRAC Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 8-14, while Rosa Reyes of Texas A&M University-Victoria earned the RRAC Defensive Player of the Week honor for the same dates.

RRAC Offensive Player of the Week – Eleonora Diversi, Our Lady of the Lake
Diversi accounted for two goals and an assist in a 1-1 week for the Saints. The sophomore midfielder from Lugo, Italy, provided the difference with two goals in a 3-1 victory over Nelson University (Texas), and she assisted on another in a loss to Southwestern Christian University (Okla.). Diversi attempted five shots on goal for the week as OLLU moved to 3-1-1 on the season.

RRAC Defensive Player of the Week – Rosa Reyes, Texas A&M-Victoria
Reyes anchored the Jaguars’ back line in a 1-0-1 week for TAMUV. The senior forward from Katy, Texas, led a defense that suffocated Texas Wesleyan University in a 5-0 victory while allowing only two shots. Reyes and company also limited Concordia University (Texas) to two shots on goal in a 1-1 draw. TAMUV advanced to 2-1-1 overall.

Additional RRAC women’s soccer weekly nominees: Delani Chappell (A&M-Texarkana), Audrian Cruz (LSU Alexandria), Ayloni Garcia (A&M-Victoria), Brooklyn Lattier (A&M-Victoria), Ariana Lowenstein (LSU Alexandria), Arely Sarabia (North American).

2025 RRAC women’s soccer weekly selections:

DateOffensive Player of the WeekDefensive Player of the Week
Aug. 18-24Brooklyn Lattier (TAMUT)Salka Hrafns (OLLU)
Aug. 25-31Samira Roper (XULA)Luisa Bella (XULA)
Sept. 1-7Samira Roper (XULA)Jamie Noriega (TAMUV)
Sept. 8-14Eleonora Diversi (OLLU)Rosa Reyes (TAMUV)

RRAC Notebook

  • Brooklyn Lattier scored two goals for Texas A&M-Texarkana in a 4-1 victory over Wiley.
  • TAMUT’s Delani Chappell helped limit opponents to one goal in two victories last week.
  • Ayloni Garcia was responsible for a pair of goals in Texas A&M-Victoria’s 5-0 win over Texas Wesleyan.

This week in the RRAC

Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Nelson at Jarvis Christian

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Wiley at LSU Alexandria, A&M-San Antonio at Texas Wesleyan

Thursday, Sept. 18 – Texas College at Paul Quinn, Huston-Tillotson at A&M-Victoria

Friday, Sept. 19 – Our Lady of the Lake at Southwestern

Saturday, Sept. 20 – A&M-San Antonio at Huston-Tillotson, Paul Quinn at A&M-Victoria

Softball Celebrates Springs 2025 Conference Championship, Celebrates Alumni

This weekend was one to remember for the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball program, as the Saints celebrated their rich history and recent success with a Hall of Fame ceremony, alumni game, and conference championship ring presentation.

On Saturday, the Saints welcomed back former players, fans, and families for a special day that began with an alumni game and was highlighted by the induction of five standout individuals into the OLLU Softball Hall of Fame. Jennifer Estrada, Joanna Gonzalez, Madison Nunn, Ariel Montgomery, and Kayla Dreese were honored for their incredible contributions to the program. Each of them left a lasting impact on OLLU softball, and their legacy was solidified as they received a banner in their honor to be displayed at the Saints softball field.

Sunday’s celebration continued with the conference championship ring ceremony. The Saints squad was recognized for their remarkable 2025 season, where under the leadership of Head Coach Bruce Lennington and Assistant Coach Jody Armijo, they posted a 47-9 regular season record. Dominating the Red River Athletic Conference with a near-perfect 27-1 mark, the Saints powered through tough matchups, dramatic extra-inning battles, and even weather delays to emerge as champions.

Their postseason run was just as impressive. The Saints went undefeated in the conference tournament, capping it off with a 3-0 victory over LSU-A to claim the title. The ring ceremony was a well-deserved moment of recognition for a team that showcased heart, resilience, and championship-caliber play all season long.

With the past and present of OLLU softball coming together in one unforgettable weekend, the program’s legacy continues to grow. Built on excellence, tradition, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.